Language Acquisition Theories Flashcards
What are the four approaches to language acquisition theory?
Behavioral, Psycholinguistic/Syntactic, Semantic/Cognitive, Pragmatic
According to behavioral theory, why do children learn language?
Language is learned based on environmental variables, mastered by: Imitation, Selective Reinforcement, and Practice
“Language is something humans DO, not something they HAVE” is an argument of what theory?
Behavioral
What is a limitation of the behavioral theory of language development?
It does not explain how children produce complex and novel behaviors
What is an example of a limitation of the behavioral theory related to overgeneralization?
The use of ‘mooses’ instead of ‘moose’
What is the innate linguistic mechanism proposed by Chomsky?
Language acquisition device (LAD)
What is a limitation of Psycholinguistic/Syntactic Theory?
It does not consider the influence of caretakers on language learning.
According to Lois Bloom, how does language emerge?
As a product of cognitive organization and development
What did Bloom term the meaning categories used by children to code relationships among entities?
Semantic relations
What limitations does the Semantic/Cognitive Theory have?
Does not explain delayed language development with normal cognitive skills, relationship between later cognitive abilities and language development
What does the Semantic/Cognitive Theory ignore?
The social environment shown important to language development
What is the role of imitation and play in language?
Play allows for symbolic representation
What does the Social-Pragmatic Theory of language believe?
Language is acquired IF and only IF the child has a REASON to talk
